In short
The episode of ESPN FC (with Kay Murray, Shaka Hislop, and Stevie Nichol) focuses on two main football topics. First: Real Madrid’s crisis under Xabi Alonso after their Bernabéu loss to Manchester City.
Key claims
Alonso’s job is “precarious” and depends on results—Alavés (must win), a Cup match vs Talavera, and Sevilla before Christmas. The panel argues the team’s effort vs City wasn’t enough because “the team haven’t been getting better,” citing draws (Rayo, Elche, Girona) and a Bernabéu loss to Celta.
Notable examples
whistling from the stands; absences due to injuries/suspensions (including a muscular problem and broken finger for Mbappé, plus defensive shortages like no Mendy/Fran García). Possible contingency: internal solution David “Arbeloa” (Castilla coach), with other names “swirling” but unspecified.
Second
Liverpool’s Champions League/VAR controversy vs Inter and the Mohamed Salah situation.
Key claims
the panel debates a late penalty (Bastoni jersey pull) and a disallowed Konaté goal (handball/VAR timing). Salah is out of the squad for Brighton; guests discuss whether he must apologize, and whether he could leave (Saudi/MLS) given his 2027 contract.
Guests
Gab Marcotti (host/segment lead), Kay Murray, Shaka Hislop, Stevie Nichol, Alex Kirkland (Madrid correspondent), plus Jules and “Julian Laron” (Liverpool/VAR discussion).
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOAnalyzing Real Madrid's Recent Performance
1:34 to 3:54
Discussion about Real Madrid's performance after their loss to Manchester City and Xabi Alonso's precarious position as manager.
“We're going to kick things off tonight by focusing on Real Madrid and it's the aftermath of their loss to Manchester City at the Bernabeu.”
In-Depth Look at Xabi Alonso's Challenges
3:54 to 9:48
Exploration of the challenges facing Xabi Alonso, including player injuries and the need for wins.
“What happens if they lose against Alaves, Alex?”
Liverpool's Recent Match Review
13:50 to 14:01
Discussion on Liverpool's recent performance and penalty calls during their games.
“Obviously, this all follows their 1-0 win over Inter in the Champions League week.”
Penalty Controversy Overview
14:01 to 18:00
Discussion on a controversial penalty decision and its implications.
“week that was without Mo Salah, of course.”
Kanate Goal Disallowed
18:00 to 22:54
Debate on the disallowed goal by Kanate and the handball rule.
“It hits Eki-Tiki's arm without hitting anybody.”
Mohamed Salah's Situation
22:54 to 28:01
Analysis of Mohamed Salah's position in the team and potential future.
“Let's move on to the next topic because obviously Mohamed Salah was not in the squad in Italy.”
Managerial Challenges at Liverpool
28:01 to 28:55
Discussing the challenges facing Liverpool's manager amidst player controversies.
“I hope the fact that Mo Salah didn't go to Milan, the fact that he will not be in the squad against Brighton, I hope upstairs has nothing to do with that.”
Mo Salah's Dilemma
28:56 to 30:24
Analyzing Mo Salah's current situation and potential departure from Liverpool.
“comes on, scores a hat-trick, everybody waves him away, have a great tournament while you're away.”
Fan Reactions to Potential Exits
30:25 to 32:02
Exploring the impact of player exits on Liverpool's fan base and morale.
“And I know we've seen legends at games, the ending is never easy, right?”
Highlighting Player Performances
32:03 to 33:38
Discussion on the performances of players like Konate after recent matches.
“Salah gets a good send-off, I think it will change the whole atmosphere around the club.”
Show all 20 chapters
Public Criticism from Management
33:39 to 35:22
Examining the repercussions of public criticism from management on players.
“Does he say that had he not said what he said after league?”
Power Rankings Discussion
37:29 to 39:35
Analysis of the latest power rankings in soccer, featuring various teams.
“I don't think I've ever said that before.”
Light-Hearted Banter and Celebrations
39:36 to 42:09
Casual conversations and birthday celebrations among the hosts.
“I was this close to having Villarreal in there because of the run of form they're in in the league, But they can't win you in the Champions League themselves.”
Memorable Football Moments
44:27 to 45:49
Discussing unforgettable moments in football history.
“Liverpool music knowledge is shocking Stevie for a Liverpool legend.”
Xabi Alonso's Future
45:56 to 47:12
Debating whether Liverpool will target Xabi Alonso if he's sacked.
“inviting it depends what can I even in the long for you know exactly what kind of evening you're about to have yeah yeah there's not going to be too many sensible ones Who's going?”
Maneuvering Team Dynamics
47:13 to 48:27
Discussing how players handle teammate drama and leadership roles.
“and I don't think right now they're thinking about changing anyway.”
World Cup Predictions
48:28 to 52:18
Analyzing potential omissions from the French World Cup squad.
“It doesn't help your cause, let me put it that way.”
Coaching Aspirations
52:19 to 54:20
Steve Nicholl discusses his views on coaching in the U.S.
“Only, Stevie, towards the end of the season when they are getting ready to go to the US, than if he's out there.”
Race Rematch Talk
54:21 to 56:00
Light-hearted debate about who would win a race at MetLife Stadium.
“I'm, you know, as Jewel stepped across me, just as my afterburners were kicking in, Jewel stepped into my lane.”
Wrap-Up and Thank You
56:00 to 56:38
The hosts wrap up the episode with humor and gratitude.
“Anyway, thank you so much for sending in your questions.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00Gab Marcotti here for Gusto. Right now, everyone is trying to run leaner, tighter budgets, smaller teams, higher expectations. Now, the last thing you have time to waste on is manual payroll or chasing down an HR form. Gusto is how small business owners get time back when every hour counts. Gusto is online payroll and benefit software built for small businesses. It's all-in-one, remote-friendly, and incredibly easy to use, so you can pay, hire, onboard, and support your team from anywhere. Automatic payroll tax filing, simple direct deposits, health benefits, commuter benefits, workers' comp, 401k, you name it.
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1:19Hello and welcome into the latest edition of ESPN FC. Kay Murray, Shaka Hislop and birthday boy Stevie Nichol. We're here to celebrate his birthday with his favourite people.
1:29Gab Marcotti:Oh, boy. Something must have written out for you. We're going to kick things off tonight by focusing on Real Madrid and it's the aftermath of their loss to Manchester City at the Bernabeu. These are the headlines. Marca with out of credit us saying improvement without reward. And Mundo saying a blow for Xabi. At the final whistle, there were whistles from the stands. Xabi Alonso addressed this matter after the game.
2:00When you don't win at home, it can happen. But there were moments where we found the energy from the crowd. They knew what the team needed and pushed us on. In other moments or at the end of the game, if there were whistles, we can understand it. We have to accept it as normal because here the demands are absent. We want to turn around the situation we are in. We are recovering little by little of mental and physical state. There is still a long way to go.
2:41Kirkland will join us now from Madrid. Xabi Alonso still in his role as Real Madrid manager as it stands right now, Alex, although it feels like it's an evolving story. Yeah, Alonso is still there, but it's a precarious position that he's in because where Madrid are at right now is they've got to win games and keep winning games to keep Xabi Alonso in his job. They've got to beat Alaves on Sunday. They've got to beat Talavera in the Cup next week. They've got to beat Sevilla in the last game before Christmas. If they don't win those games, I think it's looking increasingly likely that Xabi Alonso is going to be out of the job.
3:14Now, of course, they didn't beat Manchester City. They lost to City. But the feeling at the Bernabeu last night was, OK, they lost. But they had played OK. They'd competed. They lost. They could have drawn. They maybe could even have won that game. And they did so without Mbappé, without eight first-team players through injury, in fact. So the feeling was, OK, they didn't win. But they played well enough to keep Alonso in his job. But I think going forward, that's one thing against City in the Champions League. That's not going to be enough against Alaves, for example, or Sevilla. So right now, it's going to be game by game.
3:47It's going to be result by result. And those results are going to dictate whether Xabi Alonso stays in his job or not. What happens if they lose against Alaves, Alex? I think there's a very good chance that Xabi Alonso is sacked if that happens. That's certainly what we've been hearing. There's reporting tonight from some of the Madrid papers, DiOS, and one of their journalists very well connected to the club and to Florentino Perez, who's suggesting that that is the case, that quite simply they have to win. So while the City game wasn't a must-win game, it was kind of a must-perform or must-compete game, I think things have kind of moved up again now and we're now in must-win game territory.
4:30So yes, if they were to lose to Alaves, which they could do there, away from home. They've got basically an entire 11 of players absent through injury and suspension. Alivez, not a bad team, you know, mid-table, hard to play against, a difficult place to go. Mende Tharotha, I think that it's entirely plausible that Madrid could go there. Look, they probably win, but they could go there and lose. If they do, I think Xavi Llanci will be out of the job. Do you think that's too soon, Stevie, given the surrounding circumstances?
4:57Gab Marcotti:I don't think it's too soon, considering the club he's managing, Real Madrid and the history they have and the history that they have for sacking managers when things are not going well. And for Real Madrid, I mean, is this really Real Madrid we're talking about? Two wins in eight games. And I'm listening to Xavi Alonso there, and I'm thinking, he's just joined a horrible club. Because all we heard from Amarina United was, we're getting better. I heard Anastasia talking about it last week, we're getting better. And he's just said recovering, which translated to me as, we're getting better. I mean, sorry, who's getting better?
5:35Gab Marcotti:You just got beat again and you got beat at home. And by the way, you deserve to get beat. And it's one thing to throw 25 minutes in at the end of the game and put the opposition under pressure. But if you're Real Madrid, it's not good enough. And so 100%, if they don't win it Saturday against Alves, he's gone. Is that a fair assessment of last night's game, Alex? Because obviously we saw the front pages saying that they felt that there was more effort from the team, that this looked as though it was players that weren't playing for a coach that they wanted to be getting sacked right now, that they were trying things, but it just didn't pay off?
6:10I agree with Stevie. It's a very low bar, isn't it, that the players were trying. I mean, that really should be a given. That should be taken for granted that the players are trying and are playing for the coach. That can't be enough. And I think the issue is the team haven't been getting better. In fact, whatever kind of early signs of progress some kind of green shoots that we saw from this Xabi Alonso team in the Club World Cup at the start of the season, they've kind of gone away. It felt like in the last couple of weeks, with those draws against Rayo and Elche and Girona, especially with the loss to Celta, it felt like the team has been going backwards.
6:44So yes, the players were making an effort against City, but of course they were, because you're playing City in the Champions League at home. There's no way a Ravidou player can get away with not making an effort in that game, but that can't be enough. We've got to expect, I think, more from the team than that. Yeah, I suppose it doesn't help with the loss to Celta at the Bernabeu just before that game against City either. No, it doesn't. And listen, I'm not sure why it seems like that's much of a surprise, in all honesty. Xavi Alonso kind of was brought in, given a mandate, right? And this is Real Madrid and Therontine Imperius we're talking about.
7:20But if you draw a comparison to Carlo Ancelotti, where after one poor season, it came as no surprise to anyone when he was let go. And let's remember, the season before, he won both the Champions League and La Liga. Carlo Ancelotti won two Champions League in three years with Real Madrid, one off-season when things were just in turmoil with the inclusion of Kylian Mbappe, and he couldn't figure out that front three, and nobody was surprised to see him go at the end of that season. Xavi Alonso comes in without that pedigree, Pedigree as a former Real Madrid player, yes. Pedigree what he'd done with Leverkusen.
7:55But Real Madrid are a different animal. So he comes in without much equity in the back. Certainly not the kind of equity that Carlo Ancelotti had to start his last season. And now this is where you are. You are chasing Barcelona. You are faltering in the Champions League. For me, again, given Carlo Ancelotti's final season, It's no surprise that we're three, four months in, and we're averaging in this position, and talking about Xavi Alonso's future. Yeah, and of all the times to not be having Kylian Mbappe, Alex, when he's been using him in every single game this season, didn't have him against Man City.
8:34Reports now that he could be a doubt against Alaves, a game that they have to win. Yeah, we're not sure if they'll be fit or not for the Alaves game. Alonso said after the City game last night, it's too early, we'll have to see. He's got this muscular problem as well as the broken finger that he suffered against Celta. And yet Mbappé, no doubt, which is the best player this season alongside Thibaut Courtois. And he's the most important potential absentee. But he's far from the only one because they've got so many issues between injuries and suspensions. Because remember, against Celta, you had Fran Garcia sent off, Alvaro Carrera sent off, Hendrik carded on the bench as well.
9:12And it's the defence. I mean, Mbappé's a big miss, of course. But the defence is a massive problem in this game for Real Madrid because the only two senior defenders you've got are Rudiger and Asensio. That's it. Everyone else is either injured or suspended. OK, maybe you play Fede Valverde at right back. That's what you probably do. But who do you play at left back? Because there's no Guerreras. There's no Fran Garcia. There's no Fernando Mendy. Maybe you drop, you know, Juar Mendy into defence and you play Asensio at full back. Maybe you bring in a youngster like Giant Martinez for what would be his first competitive appearance for the first team.
9:45but it's far from ideal circumstances. So you combine that sort of defensive injury crisis with possibly no Mbappe, other absentees as well, the likes of Camavinga in the middle. And it's a really, really challenging situation that Madrid go into this game. Would they bring in somebody else? Who is the contingency plan? Is it Alvaro Abelhoa, Alex? He's one of the names that's been mentioned. There have been a few names that have been swirling around in the last few weeks. Quite a while ago, we were told that Zinedine Zidane was a potential candidate. That's tricky. Of course, he's got his eye on the France job next summer.
10:21You never know if the call went into Zidane. Would he say yes or no? He left on bad terms last time, but things have improved a bit in terms of the relationship since then. Arbeloa is the internal solution. Everyone really rates him as a sort of a coach of the future. He's done well so far in charge of the reserve team. Castilla, everyone loves him as sort of a Real Madrid man. And the one thing I would say is that Arbeloa, if you think that Alonso has been maybe has had issues in terms of the relationship with the players has been a bit hard line um you know Arbeloa his reputation is being really really tough and you know maybe sort of putting Arbeloa into this dressing room might sort of blow the whole thing up now I mean maybe that's maybe that's what it needs I don't know but I'm not sure if he's uh might be a great coach in the in the future but I'm not sure if he's necessarily the right kind of character and you know limited coaching experience to go into this dressing room at this time and sort things out.
11:11We've been told there are one or two other names in the frame that we haven't been told what those or who those names are just yet. So it's not clear. It's not clear right now, to be honest. Does that go to a bigger picture when you look at this, that Real Madrid need a manager like Ancelotti or Zidane, more of a manager than the coach, like the more strict, hard-line coaches that they've been getting?
11:32Gab Marcotti:That's an impossible question to answer because Ancelotti couldn't sort their squad out. it doesn't look like Xavi Alonso can sort this squad out he's asking players to do things for the good of the team it doesn't seem like A, they want to do that and they're certainly not responding so if Abelolo is a hard man how do you expect Vinny and Mbappe in particular to start towing the line so there is no simple solution here it is going to have to be obviously you get a coach that knows what he's doing in terms of his tactics and all the other things, but it's going to be an absolute toss of a coin because you don't know what sort of character to bring in with a squad of players because you've had every sort of different character as a manager and it hasn't worked.
12:19So you're gambling.
12:21Gab Marcotti:You really are gambling. OK, well, we're about to find out how it will all play out. Obviously, Real Madrid will be in action against Alaves this coming weekend. Alex, thank you so much for being with us. You will be there at that game for us and we'll be reporting back on whatever happens after it. Alex Kirkland coming to us from Madrid and he'll be coming to us from this game, Alaves against Real Madrid on Sunday. Our coverage will begin at 2.30pm Eastern. On Saturday, we've got Atleti against Valencia. That's the early game in La Liga. A little after that, it's Barcelona taking on Osasuna. Both games available on ESPN+.
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13:41Stock up on Fruity Rainbow 5-Hour Energy shots, available online at 5hourenergy.com or Amazon. So here are the papers for Liverpool. No Salah, no problem. Reds getting their mojo back. Obviously, this all follows their 1-0 win over Inter in the Champions League week. week that was without Mo Salah, of course. Let's get a word from Arnazslot, speaking after this game. If that is a penalty, we could have had 10 this season, I think. So that was a penalty that I don't think in the Premier League would have been given. But again, I think it was...the first goal was a more clear goal than it was wrong that the penalty was given.
14:30Julian Laron joining us now to talk more about the penalty that was given and obviously the penalty that did give them the win and let's start with that penalty first and if we can I have to start with you Stevie given that we've got you here 88th minute I think it was very nice of Vartic Taking off your Liverpool glasses what did you make of it?
14:52Gab Marcotti:I didn't expect the penalty to be given to be quite honest with you I mean, but from a defensive point of view, you cannot pull the opposition's jersey the way Bastoni did without putting yourself in some jeopardy. And the fact that the referee's turned around and said it's enough to give a penalty is 100 % on Bastoni. He can argue all he wants. If you put your hands and pull somebody's jersey in the penalty box and it's given, you cannot complain. If that had happened on the halfway line with somebody running through and they stopped with a pull, nobody would complain that it was a foul and it'd probably be a yellow card.
15:33Gab Marcotti:So, yes, if it had not been given, I would not be sitting here arguing about it. But at the end of the day, if you're a defender and you're Bastoni, don't try and wave your arms and give it all that. Don't pull the jersey. Do you agree with that, Jules?
15:51Julien Laurens:I think it was soft. For me, and I know this is very cynical and I apologise already for it, the Konati goal is a fair goal. I don't even know why that was disallowed. And I think this is compensation for that goal that was disallowed. There was maybe not enough in it and the referee didn't give it. He had to be called by VAR and clearly thought that he made a mistake by not giving the penalty, even if it was soft. But deep inside me, I thought this looks very much like compensation for not allowing that goal to stand in the first place, that Konati had her, because I thought there was nothing that showed me it was clear and obvious that the referee made a mistake by letting play go and Konati to score.
16:31Julien Laurens:And I did wonder if the Jets gave that very, very soft and generous penalty because of that. Shaq? Agreed. In that, and listen, I know these two incidents are separate and supposed to stand alone and all that, but as players, you know. You get away with one soft decision, you don't give the referee another soft decision to make you know that you might you get away with the first one your manager's telling you listen don't give him an opportunity to to write that balance um so for me um i'm i'm i'm with stevie on this i i thought was a penalty the the 80th minute i thought that was a penalty and while i get the argument that the shirt pull was rather soft and not enough for verts to go down as he did it's not about the shirt pull to pull verts down is the shirt pull to stop Virts from getting on the ball or stopping from getting an advantage on getting on the ball.
17:22Now, you can make the argument that, well, without the shirt pull, he was still second favorite. We don't know that. Whichever way it would have been close. And then Bastoni pulls Virts' shirts and it's not. So for me, from the time I saw the replay, especially from that rear angle where it looked like Virts was going to get on the ball, I thought Penn. What did you think of the Kanate goal that wasn't? Well, I have to admit, when I first saw it, I thought, goal. But then as I see the VAR replays, and I get it, it's an accidental handball with Eki-Tiki. Here's my issue with this. It hits Eki-Tiki's arm without hitting anybody.
18:09That ball travelled, well, however far it is from the corner, 30 yards, 40 yards, without touching anybody. And the first touch is with his arm. So if it had come off of somebody or something of his sword, if it had flicked off another defender's head, I would say fair enough. But that ball was in the air a long time, and it hit Ekite gave flush on the arm. So that's a handball for me. Now, again, of course, he's not the goal scorer, so that part of the law doesn't come into play. But it's a handball.
18:43Gab Marcotti:Handball. Yeah. When I saw the replay, I'm exactly the same as Xhaka. Hit him in the arm. Without the ball hitting him in the arm, Canetti doesn't score. And you can't profit from that. So I was not surprised it was disallowed. Jules is disagreeing with everything you guys are saying tonight. You know what Jules is like. Let's go to it. Why you think that should have stood, Jules?
19:09Julien Laurens:I just thought that with the rules, because he hits the header by Van Dijk, that obviously bounces off the arm of Ekitike. And by the way, his arms are in natural position, Ekitike. He's just jumped. He's coming down. His arms are down. It's not like if he'd, you know, if he'd volleyballed the pass to Konate like this and then Konate had scored a header. So I just saw header from Van Dijk, okay, hits his arm, but his arm is in normal position really because of the extension that he had. And then Konate is there. And I don't know, I thought it was really hard because the referee gave it in the first place.
19:42Julien Laurens:And again, the rule says that you have to consider it's a clear and obvious error, mistake from you to change your mind. And I'm not sure. I know there's the arm, obviously, of Eke Tika. I can see the ball bouncing off that. I'm just not sure if that was enough because of the whole move, really. It hit Van Dijk's. I didn't pick up a touch on Van Dijk. So if it come off of Van Dijk, that changes my opinion. The other thing, too, is, remind me again, Where's Ekkitike from? Oh, and where's Kanata from? Yeah, it is Van Dijk. Are you suggesting? That's outrageous for me. Outrageous. I thought, listen, again, I thought it hit Ekkitike's arm first.
20:33It did.
20:34Julien Laurens:You can see his Van Dijk on the head, I thought, first and then... It doesn't hit Van Dijk at all. The feeling for many was that Van Dijk won the header and then it hits the arm of Van Dijk. Well, I will say this. If it comes off Van Dijk's head onto Ekiteke's arm, then the goal should have stood. But I feel there's an uncertainty around those replays. I still think the ball hit Ekiteke first. And if it hit Ekiteke first, goal disallowed. If it come off Van Dijk first onto Ekiteke's arm, then the goal should have stood. Okay. Obviously, Mohamed. Go on, go on, Jules. Just to finish, quickly, no, because, and we're not, let's not go into the VAR thing, but it took four and a half minutes for the referee at the screen, all in all, to decide what to do.
21:19Julien Laurens:And again, we go back to the point, and tonight is not the time for it, but this is too long. If you're not sure, even after two minutes, just keep what you decided on the pitch, and then that's it. And it's okay, because the more you will look at it, and the more you will chat with the people in the VAR room, etc., etc., the more doubt you might have. And then before and a half minutes, it's far too long for a decision like this that could have had a massive impact on the game, on slot future, on Liverpool's qualification and all of that. I completely agree. And I'll be honest. Winning you over.
21:48In the early stages of VAR, we all sat here and said, listen, you've got to make the right decision. That's the most important thing. The time factor or the time it takes to get to that decision shouldn't factor. But over the course of those two years since, I have totally changed course. I'm with Jules on this. If you can't figure this out in two minutes, the decision on the field stands.
22:14Gab Marcotti:End of story. There comes a point when you're looking to get a decision on what you want to do, not what actually happened. Exactly. I'm with Jules fully on that. During the game as well, I thought this is absolutely ridiculous. Man, it'll ring a bell. If you don't get it by the time the bell rings, whatever is decided on the pitch stays. Yeah, time's up. Set that timer. Right. Five minutes done. Decision made. Not five minutes. Five minutes. Two minutes. Two minutes. It was eight, right? No, four and a half. Two and a half minutes. Not with it. Let's move on to the next topic because obviously Mohamed Salah was not in the squad in Italy.
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22:59That was addressed by Anna Slott after the game. I don't know if it's possible to just clarify. You spoke to the great Clarence Seedorf on the pitch. You said about the talks with Mohamed Salah and where the initiative comes from. Were you saying that he has to make the first move to get back into this? No, no, no. I'm happy that you asked that question because Clarence said that in his opinion, I said, yeah, that's your opinion. So I didn't say anything about that. who should make the first step or whatever. It was his opinion. So I'm happy that I can clarify that, that the headlines tomorrow are not.
23:41What I've said, it was his opinion. And where do you stand on that between now and Saturday? Where I stand is that tonight it should be all about the players that are here. Stevie laughed as he saw that and heard that then. What did you say?
23:55Gab Marcotti:Well, that's why you keep your mouth shut. That's why you don't... Don't... Don't over-talk. Leave them wanting more. Let's put it that way. Leave them wanting more. Spoken from experience. Yes. Spoken from experience. Let's get the latest. What we're hearing right now, what's the latest with the Mohamed Salah situation, Jules?
24:18Julien Laurens:I mean, the first thing is we're waiting to see if he would be in the squad for the Brighton game on Saturday at Anfield. I don't think the club has taken a decision right now whether he will feature or be reintegrated in the squad, really because he was dropped for the Inter Milan game. That's the first thing. Secondly, in a way, I agree with Clarence Cedar. For me, it should come from Mo Salah. I mean, you should apologise to start with anyway. Publicly, privately, both of them to slot. Then I think from a slot point of view, Richard Hughes, Michael Edwards, and the people at the top at Liverpool, the question now is, is this team better with Mo Salah?
24:55Julien Laurens:And when we say about Mo Salah, a fit and firing Mo Salah, not the Mo Salah that we've seen pretty much all season long, or is this team better without him? If it's the case, and if he doesn't apologise, if things are not resolved, he's going to go to AFCON as early as Sunday anyway. So by Sunday, he won't be there for potentially up to mid-January, which is a long time. Then I think the way forward is like, I'm sorry, you were great. You're a club legend. We will forever be grateful of everything you brought to this football club. But it's time to move on. And that's okay. what we're hearing here in England is that he still has a contract.
25:32Julien Laurens:Obviously, he extended last April for two more years, so until 2027. Great. But money talks, we all know that, especially in football. Money talks. If at some point the Saudi can come with a big offer that Mo Salah is happy to go there and Liverpool are happy with the amount, whether they want to keep him or not, they will sell him. Is that a possibility that a Saudi pro league could come in, Jules, then? I think this is the only possibility right now Personally I don't think he will ever play for the club I'm not sure if he still wants to be there I think what we saw against Inter Milan on Tuesday was very interesting from a tactical point of view from what Slot tried to do and certainly this team was in that game the most coherent, balanced that we've seen all season and that's a good start it's something to build on and for building on that there's no more Salah in that picture for me and really on the money that he's on right now, only the Saudis can afford him.
26:28Julien Laurens:He still dreams and I've been told he wants to go to Barcelona or Bayern Munich or Real Madrid. Let's all be honest here. We're all grown-ups. Adem Ossala, he might be in denial, but he's a smart guy. Those three are impossible right now. It's either Saudi or MLS if somebody in the US can find the money and can convince him to join. But for me, it would be Saudis. Speaking from your heart, Stevie, what would you like to see happen with this situation?
26:57Gab Marcotti:What would I like to see? I'd like to see more Salah playing against Brighton than scoring a hat-trick. I mean, that's what I would like. Would you like to see him apologising? Would you like to see him... How would you like that to all play out? I think that would... If he really wants to stay at Liverpool, then that would be the start of it, would be to apologise. And then from there, you've got to try and get in the team. because the way the team performed for 70 minutes against Leeds, the way it performed against Inter in the Champions League, he's not getting back in that team. Fortunately for him, he's leaving because he would be sitting on the bench if he's lucky for the next foreseeable future.
27:41What gets you called off the bench then if you are a substitute on the bench?
27:45Gab Marcotti:Say that again. Why are you staying on the bench for the full game? What gets you off the bench? Well, the first thing is the apology. That's where it has to start. And the other thing, at least, is I hope that upstairs are not getting involved in this. I hope the fact that Mo Salah didn't go to Milan, the fact that he will not be in the squad against Brighton, I hope upstairs has nothing to do with that. Because I think it will do Alan Slott a lot of good showing upstairs who's in charge of this squad and who's in charge of this team. Regardless of what's happening on the field, yes, we know it's not going the way we want, but upstairs we'll be watching every move he makes to see whether he's going to crumble.
28:30Gab Marcotti:Is he up to this? Can he turn this around? What kind of guy do we really have? It's okay when you're winning games and winning the Premier League, but when things get tough, what kind of guy have we got in charge? So I hope he's actually the person who's saying Mo Salah's not going to Milan, and Mo Salah's not going to be in the squad, because that will show that he has the stomach and the strength to do that. But, as I said, in terms of what would I like, it would be great. More apologises, he gets on the bench for Brighton, comes on, scores a hat-trick, everybody waves him away, have a great tournament while you're away.
29:03Gab Marcotti:But that ain't happening. The fact is, he ain't in the squad and he's going to be going away and I will not be shocked if he doesn't go to Saudi. Do you agree with what Stevie was saying on Anastolat having to be the one in charge of this whole situation? Absolutely. Absolutely. And more importantly, I think the Liverpool fans recognise that. As I've been saying throughout, as I said a couple of days ago, I've never played for Liverpool, but the one thing I know about this fan base is they back the club. They have seen any number of incredible talents come through that football club. They have said goodbye to them.
29:36They understand that this is a business. Mo Salah is no different. Mo Salah is no different in that regard. That fan base will back the club first. and as a result it makes Mo Salah's position and statements even more confusing because if you've played for this club and you can't recognise that I'm sorry, this is entirely on you Joel said he could have played his last game for Liverpool you think that could be the case then
30:03Gab Marcotti:I think so yeah I hope he does what he said he's going to do he'll wave Chidi Owens after the game and bring his family that at least would be something I think the fans would like that as well because his fans were all sitting going he could have played his last game he might never pull that jersey on again so I think actually the fans if he does go on the field which I expect him to will actually be kind to him because they'll understand that this might be the last time they see him Would this be the most unexpected exit of any Liverpool player in recent history Jules? Easily
30:43Julien Laurens:yeah I think so I mean you can look at Fernando Torres for example who left but that was very different, this is so acrimonious this is so intense and toxic in a way, whether you think he was premeditated from Salah and he clearly stopped in that mixed zone for a reason, whether you think he was right or not to express his frustration that way, whether the club can move forward or is this team better without him whatever way you want to look at it and wherever you stand, this is bad. And I know we've seen legends at games, the ending is never easy, right? For the guys, when you play and you want to stay at the top, age is catching up with you and you're not as good and you're not the same, all of that.
31:25Julien Laurens:I understand it's not easy, but this bad, this toxic like this, this kind of fracture, this kind of emotions too and frustration, there haven't been many examples. Some people have mentioned the Ronaldo stuff when he left United in the second stint to go to Saudis. But he hadn't just signed a contract. He was not Mo Salah. He didn't have a season like Mo Salah. They hadn't won the league before. I know it's a big game and he fell out with the club and the manager that way. Okay, that is maybe the only similarities there. But it's nothing, nowhere near what we are going through right now with Salah and Liverpool.
32:00I think 100 % that if after the breaking game,
32:06Gab Marcotti:Salah gets a good send-off, I think it will change the whole atmosphere around the club. I think if he didn't get on and get a send-off, people would still be thinking about it and wondering and hoping. I think if he actually gets on the field with his family and he gets a good reception, which he will, I think that would change the mood around the actual club itself. Regardless of whether he comes back or not, I think it would change the whole atmosphere at the club. He doesn't need to play for that. No. He could sit on the bench for 90 minutes. And the game could end and the Liverpool fans could chant his name and he'd go off to Afghan.
32:47And that, I think, to Stevie's point, changes how everybody feels about a lot of some of the atmosphere that they've had to enjoy over the last couple of weeks with this. Now, obviously, you've laughed about Anna Slott and saying a little bit too much of late. you know that after the Leeds game he had a little bit too much to say perhaps about Konate when he said he'd been a little bit too much at the scene of the crime. This was brought back up after the Inter game. You are highlighting our midfield and I would like to highlight one player because he's been highlighted a few times also in a negative way and this time I would like to highlight Konate who played a very good game against two very good strikers together with Virgil and they were, I don't think they made a mistake at all or like I said, we only conceded one chance and that's a big compliment if you play against such a good team.
33:42Does he say that had he not said what he said after league? Absolutely no chance.
33:48Gab Marcotti:I'd love to know what Canati says when he heard it because he's either going to go, a bit late or he might go, fair enough. it's one or the other it's either you know what you can do with that or it's ah fair enough ok I'll take it how would you take it Stephen? yeah right
34:12Jules seeing as though that you're in favour of all the Frenchmen how did you take it?
34:18Julien Laurens:I thought the comments after this were really outrageous from a manager you know calling out publicly a player he did the same remember after the Crystal Palace defeat with Frimpong without naming Frimpong but telling everything that would help you find out that he was talking about Frimpong on that and Kecha winning goal really late in that game. I just don't like it. In the same way that you can say Salah should have kept that privately, I think it should be the same. I think managers should not call out players publicly like that. But that's just my opinion. And I think from a kind of point of view, to answer the question that you asked, I asked I asked about how Connate dealt with it or took it I didn't know, I know he's a very strong boy mentally and maybe the response of that comment from slot after the Leeds game was the performance against Inter and he was right, he was really good against Lautaro and Thuram so maybe it was his own way of showing that that didn't affect him in a way but I think this kind of message publicly can affect a lot of players Right, okay, absolutely OK, well, we'll see what he has to say in the next press conference.
35:28Always something with Anaslat. These guys will have a lot to say in the latest edition of Extra Time. Jules will be joining Shaka and Stevie Twentsy. You can check it out over on our YouTube channel. Are you looking to rebound from your high interest credit card debt? A SoFi personal loan can help you get back on track. Consolidate your debt with a SoFi personal loan into one low monthly payment. And you could save money on interest over time. And with as soon as the same day funding, you could hit the ground running ASAP. Apply today with no fees required at SoFi.com slash Debt Rebound. Loans originated by SoFi Bank, NA member, FDIC.
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37:19That's three months of free payroll at gusto.com slash FC. One more time, gusto.com slash FC. Shaka history. Power rankings. It is time. Well, Aston Villa, top of the power. I don't think I've ever said that before. Barcelona second. Lanzo atop in Liga, a third. Bayern down to four. City Arsenal. Milan up one. Leipzig and Porto who are topping Portugal in a great run of form but they lose. Lost in Europa League, Nottingham Forest. That hurt them. And then Sporting, despite losing in the Champions League yesterday, are in at 10th. Jules, there can be no argument is what Xhaka usually. That's what I say every week though.
38:12Power rankings, can there?
38:16Julien Laurens:I mean, I think the algorithm is broken for Christmas, no? Maybe it went away on holidays somewhere on the beach. Because clearly, I mean, Sporting, no wins in two. Guessing that 10, you don't even know why. Bayern Munich, two great wins back-to-back. I think they scored 10 goals in two games. And they lose three positions. You don't really know why either. But I'm glad to see Launce are quite high. They lose because Aston Villa, in the form that they're in, they beat Arsenal. Like, remind me what happened between Bayern and Arsenal again. But Villa do that. City continued in a great run of form, conceding too many.
38:51But a great run of form, beat Real Madrid. So, I'm sorry. Bayern got a bit punished because of everybody else in good form. What was Sporting? Sporting a second in Portia. They lost, not two losses in two. They lost two weeks ago in the Cup. They didn't care about that. They told me themselves. And then they lost in the Champions League. in midweek. So that's two losses. In three. But one they don't care about. One they don't care about.
39:20Gab Marcotti:So you lose two and three, you get in the top ten. How does that work? Well, because everybody else is doing the same. There is nobody else who comes close to the top ten that have won the last two or three games. Nobody else. I was this close, I was this close to having Villarreal in there because of the run of form they're in in the league, But they can't win you in the Champions League themselves. Well seen you're a politician. Yes. Are you so grumpy? I know it's his birthday as well. Speaking of which I know exactly what I've got for you. I don't know what you want. Give me a minute. Give me a minute.
40:07Gab Marcotti:You know what? Give me. I'm still smiling. Why are you so angry, Stevie? As soon as the game starts, Bobby's smiling. Oh, he put on your chips. Oh, now he's happy. Oh, now you're talking. Now you agree with the bar rankings, right? You've been at Penny Farley. A spoonful of Britain. Our friends at a spoonful of Britain. Oh, happy breakfast. What did you do with that? Add water? Give it to Eleanor. All your favourites, Stephen. Oh, man. Yeah? Oh, you should hold your beauty. Even better, boy. Matchmakers. Eleanor will be delighted. All your favourites. Oh, man. Oh, yes, more crisp. Yes. There we go in the night.
41:02Keep going. Oh, God, I'm sweating.
41:05Gab Marcotti:You know what, I almost just ordered some more of them. Tired to take one back? Look at that. Oh, man. I tried to get your fruit and nut. They didn't have any CV. So, that's the second best option. Oh, you're not kidding. I mean, look at that. That's going to last me at least two nights.
41:26Dunkers. Dunkers. Digestives. I've never seen you so happy. Even better. I've never seen you this happening. Chocolate digestives. That's how big this is. That's what happens when you put a woman in charge.
41:41Gab Marcotti:That's right. More Maltesers, brilliant. More Maltesers, brilliant. And then a bag. And last but not least.
41:53Arrows. Orange arrows.
41:54Gab Marcotti:Orange arrows. Yes, even better. Yeah, I'll never see these. Eleanor will steal these. Well, actually, I did ask Eleanor for a few of your favourites, but I think she's just added a few of her own favourites. fair play to work Dell PCs with Intel inside are built for the moments that matter for the moments you plan and the ones you don't built for the busy days that turn into all night study sessions the moment you're working from a cafe and realise every outlet's taken the times you're deep in your flow and the absolute last thing you need is an auto update throwing off your momentum that's why Dell builds tech that adapts to the way you actually work Built with long-lasting batteries so you're not scrambling for the closest outlet.
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43:21And as the probability changes, you can buy in and out of your position. For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code FC to get$10 when you trade 10. K-A-L-S-H-I Call She Trade on anything 18 plus only restrictions and eligibility requirements apply Event contract trading involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors Prices, values and available markets may differ from those mentioned For more information, see callshe.com slash regulatory Alright, that will do it for the latest edition of ESPN FC Stevie's going to tuck into those treats but not just yet, extra time's coming up next Stick around, Jules will be back with us and the guys to answer your question that's coming up right now can't be a great one oh i'd love one it can't be the malteaser
44:09sure i love a malteaser can't be welcome into the latest edition of extra time it's stevie's birthday your famous famous birthday you're a beatles fan isn't it is it is it i've no idea oh how old are you today.
44:23Gab Marcotti:64. Right? Is that a famous Beatles song? Yes. Liverpool music knowledge is shocking Stevie for a Liverpool legend. I have no idea what just happened. When I'm 64, the famous song. No, I don't know that. All right. Happy birthday Stevie. What is one thing football related you never forget
44:51Gab Marcotti:well the first thing that came to my mind was going in front of the court in the Merseyside Derby. Beautiful. You can't forget it. There's one of many but that was the first one that came to my head. Merseyside Derby. side derby, front of the court, back to house. I mean in fact on a level part of it the greatest thing about it as well was when you're a kid and you get two of your mates in your, one goes in goal, one goes wide and one is the second forward and we all take turns. And I must have had a diving header, the same diving header against Everton Anfield in front to the cop i must have had that diamond hair a hundred times when i was a kid with jumpers for goal posts with jumpers for goal posts it was fantastic like beautiful magic oh there's a lot for stevie tonight jules and uh shaki you can just put your that's all right i'm enjoying this i i enjoy that that's a good start set a high bar there steve all right stevie good story i've arranged tonight out for your birthday and reserved a table for four what three former teammates are you
46:06inviting it depends what can I even in the long for you know exactly what kind of evening you're about to have yeah yeah there's not going to be too many
46:19Gab Marcotti:sensible ones Who's going? Who's going? Yeah, it's going to be... It's going to be Brissi, Roshi and Aldo. I mean, what a threesome. I mean, that's a night hurt. Love that. That's a night hurt. You've got all kings going on now. Yeah. We know what type of night that is then, Shaq. I guess. It's only going one way. No sensible ones allowed. Two for two. I've enjoyed this. All right. If Madrid sacks Xabi, do you think Liverpool would target him as a replacement for Slott? Let me put that to you, Jules.
47:01Julien Laurens:Not now. I don't think so. I think they will give Slott more time to turn things around. Once the Moussa-Lah issue has been sorted out, whatever the answer is of it, where you resolve it, I think they still believe that Slott can turn things around. He's a very good coach. We know that. and I don't think right now they're thinking about changing anyway. In two years' time, if Xavi Alonso, I still think that Xavi Alonso one day will be a Liverpool head coach, manager, but I don't think it would be the case right now if he gets side. I don't think they're going to move in straight for him. Let me just say, a couple of weeks ago, I said exactly this to Dan, and before you know it, Real Madrid are going to sack Xavi Alonso, Liverpool are going to sack slot, and Dan laughed at him.
47:44I hope you're watching. Dan laughed at him. I hope you watch him. Daniel, after me. I'm standing by it. Daniel. He'll be shouting at the TV.
47:54I'm sure, well, not too hard. If you were Moselaz's team-mate, would you shun him for the drama or support him as a leader who's earned the right to have hard opinions? Neither. Neither. You go about your business. Yeah. Players don't get tied up in nonsense. You go about your business. Exactly. OK. Stevie is the official Scotsman of the show. You previously told Kay that being a quarter Scottish through her paternal grandfather means she's Scottish. Does her cheering for England in international competitions strip her of citizenship?
48:32Gab Marcotti:It doesn't help your cause, let me put it that way. But what does help your cause is this delightful smogger's word. If there was any sort of possibility that you were getting shunned, it is completely gone. In fact, you've been welcomed into the fold. And you may help yourself at any stage. You can drive Stevie with Chris at chocolate. As a fellow Scotsman. Aye, I will. Thank you, Stevie. He is the official Scotsman on the panel, of course. He's got a flag and everything. I can't walk this up. You've got to add hot water. It's a seasoning mix. It's a seasoning mix. I know Eleanor doesn't need this, but it's just for the bants, isn't it?
49:19Yes, come on, Lidl. The Highland cow. Give it a go, don't worry.
49:23Gab Marcotti:Give it a go. OK, yeah, you do. You just brown the mince and you just put this on top of it. Right. OK, you want to give it a try? You got any corn in there? Any corn? Oh, no, Xhaka. Not allowed. OK, start, bench or drop, the biggest flops. Sancho, Pepe, Mudrick. Jules.
49:48Julien Laurens:I mean I dropped Muldrick 100 % anywhere and then between Pepe and Sancho, I mean with Pepe I'm biased because obviously it's Paris born and bred so it's difficult so I will start Pepe bench Sancho and definitely drop really far away in Muldrick. Yeah I'm with Jules and I'm not even French. Nope. What do you think Steve?
50:17mate.
50:17Gab Marcotti:It's got to be Mudrik. Right, everybody said it. He's not even playing. Right, everybody agreed. Mudrik dropped. No, no, that's what I'm saying. I'm having this conversation in my head. Oh, right, right, right. I didn't know where it was coming from. Yeah, it's got to be Mudrik. And then Pepe. And then Sancho. So South and Sancho. Yeah, I mean, Sancho, as far as he was at United, got to the Champions League final and contributed to Borussia Dortmund getting there. So that's why you have to start him. 100%. For Jules, which... You're not looking at me as if I'm like, daft. I mean, I know I'm daft.
50:58Well, it's got to be Woodrick when everyone says... You are, but not because of that answer. For Jules, which French player could you see being a surprise omission from the World Cup squad come next summer?
51:14Julien Laurens:That's a good question. To be fair, I think we have a pretty good idea of at least 23 of the 26 already. It's a case of with Colombo and Igo, who could be your potential other number nine behind Mbappe and Dembele in that kind of role. So I don't think there would be one massive omission. The interesting bit would be a player like Fofana, for example, like Chelsea, the centre-back, because there's so much competition within the centre-back. Upamecano, Konate and Saliba are guaranteed to go. Then who's the fourth one with all the options that Deschamps has because we've got so much depth in those two positions that maybe somebody like Fofana could miss out.
51:58Julien Laurens:But we know pretty much the two right-backs could be Gusteau and Koundé. We're not going to go through the whole stuff, but we've got a pretty strong idea and Deschamps is very loyal for that. So I'm not sure if there would be a 1-1 big name that would be missing. The one where you could look at is centre-backs who are having a good season or decent season, might just not make it because there's too much talent in there.
52:18Gab Marcotti:So if Dembele's in and out all season, injured, plays a couple of games injured, would that come into it?
52:28Julien Laurens:Only, Stevie, towards the end of the season when they are getting ready to go to the US, than if he's out there. Yeah, maybe. But even if he's in and out through the whole season, which has been the case for this first half of the season, he's a massive part of that squad anyway. Happy birthday, Stevie. Thank you. Would you ever fancy coaching in US college soccer? Imagine you taking a proud New England NESCAC program?
52:58Gab Marcotti:NESCAC. You do say the whole thing. Yeah. NESCAC, can I say? Maybe one. All right. Like Bates, who've never won the conference in their history and turning the Bobcats into proper contenders and a consistent force up here in the North East. What would actually tempt the great Steve Nicholls stateside? Nothing. Not how my coaching days are done. I wouldn't last two seconds in a college game. I mean, my behaviour on the sideline wouldn't be... ..what they would accept. Collegiate. It wouldn't be very collegiate. Yeah, it wouldn't be much of an example to set. No, I think my coaching days are over.
53:42Gab Marcotti:If I was ever to go back in any sort of... I would be in a scouting position. I enjoy going and watching players. When you see a good player, there's a feeling it gives you. You know, you sit and you watch rubbish, and you sit and watch rubbish and then all of a sudden you see somebody and you go oh and then of course it doesn't matter because the ball can be way over there I'll be watching that guy to see what he's doing off the ball so yeah if I was ever coming back into football in a professional way it would be looking at players OK nice so there you go Antonio sorry you won't be coaching Steve Nicholls personal assistant is our last question Jules if you and Shaka had a rematch of the race the up the sand dune next summer only this time you raced up the stairs at MetLife Stadium which is a World Cup final venue who wins this time?
54:45Julien Laurens:I mean if Xhaka doesn't cheat obviously as you can see the whole world can see this I'm winning and then obviously and then wait he even throws me out anywhere you know so if it's fair then I think the whole world knows there's only one winner here. See, now, I'm a late finisher. I'm, you know, as Jewel stepped across me, just as my afterburners were kicking in, Jewel stepped into my lane. That's a disqualification. You can't be stepping in my lane. Stevie's the birthday boy, so he can be the referee.
55:21Gab Marcotti:I'd love to see you.
55:26Gab Marcotti:I'm afraid. I can't lie. You can lie. Come on, Stevie. Maybe over a longer distance. No, no. But in terms of that distance... No, Jules has got me. I ain't going to lie. No. Sorry. Jules has got me. Sorry. Jules has got me. The Frenchman takes it. Yeah, Jules has got me. Didn't see you cheating like that, Shaq, to be fair. Jules cheat first, though. He stepped across my lane, stepped in my lane. Rematch this year. No, I don't know. What rematch this year? No. Listen, I don't care. I've been walking up these met-life steps. You did well, not your pool, eh, man? Let's be honest. I threw something.
56:06Well, next year, obviously, for 26. Anyway, thank you so much for sending in your questions. Happy birthday once again. I'm going to start training now. I'm going to start running up steps now. Fantastic. And, yes. I'm going to start training for you, Jules. There you go, Jules. Look out. Look out. Look out, Jules. We'll be back tomorrow with more. Thank you so much for joining us for the latest edition of Extra Time.
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From the publisher
The ESPN FC Crew react to Real Madrid's loss to Manchester City and discuss how safe Xabi Alonso's job is at the club thanks to their poor run of form. Then, they break down the latest from Arne Slot and Liverpool, as the Mo Salah saga continues. Also, Shaka's latest power rankings which has some shocking placements.
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